Natalia's theme for this blog tour is "It's a Family Affair" and I'd like to share a bit about my family's influence on my sewing and quilting. My mom learned to sew from her grandma, and she taught me to sew clothes and toys starting when I was really little. My Grandma Taylor also taught me and helped me with my sewing, including helping me make my very first quilt when I was 13 years old.

I started quilting 'for real" the year I got married and now my husband and I have been married 15 years and have 3 kids. I've enjoyed making baby quilts for my kids and nieces and nephews and bigger quilts for family members as well. My mom started quilting a few years ago and my kids have done some sewing too. My oldest boy is working on a Minecraft pillow, and just the other day, my nearly 4-year-old daughter started her first hand sewing project. She still needs a lot of help but she's doing a really good job so far!

Now for my thoughts on the book. I think Natalia did a fantastic job with this book. Beginner's Guide to Free Motion Quilting has a good introductory section explaining the tools you need to get started with machine quilting and basic instructions for basting your quilt. Then the main part of the book is full of various free motion quilting designs, complete with step-by-step diagrams and photos showing how to stitch each design. I'm looking forward to working some more on my free motion quilted feathers with this book as my guide.

I did try something new with my quilting after reading Natalia's book. In the center of this photo you can see the quilting I did based on the "clams" design. (This is the back of a quilt I'll be sharing here soon.) I had tried to do something similar to this after just seeing a couple of photos and couldn't figure it out. The diagrams in the book really helped me get it, and I even made my own variations/additions to the design in a few places.

Finally, I have to mention the project section of the book; Natalia has included the patterns and quilting suggestions for 6 quilts. The cool part about this for me is... I helped make one of the quilts in the book. :)

Natalia does a lot of applique in her quilt designs and I helped make this applique quilt top. (I would have made the whole quilt top but my sewing machine ended up needing to be serviced half way through the project.) I love the quilting Natalia did and someday soon I'm going to try out that swirly quilting she did in the negative space.

All right, time for the giveaway. If you'd like to win a copy of Beginner's Guide to Free Motion Quilting, just leave a comment on this blog post. I'd love to hear about a current project you're working on... or tell me something you want to make. If the winner is not a U.S. resident, they will receive the e-book version of the book. Winners will be chosen on October 18.

I just machine quilted a quilt for the first time last weekend. It's a cute crib size quilt with a tree and fox appliquéd on it, and it was for my newest little nephew. It was a little daunting but I got through it! This book would be very handy indeed!

i have been sewing lots of little projects (zippered bags and purses) not having a whole lot of time for working on a quilt... my goal this weekend is to clean up and organize so my thoughts can go to a new quilt. i've wanted to make an equilateral triangle quilt for a while, now.

Right now I'm cutting the squares to make a baby quilt for my best friend who is due later this year. I've also been collecting scraps to make a random scrappy quilt for my house/family, but that one isn't really even in the beginning stages yet. :)

I just added this book to my Amazon Wish List last week! Me, me, me! Pick me!

Sewing-wise, I'm not doing a lot right now because my bargain sewing machine has become very much not a bargain in recent months. Once I save up and purchase a decent machine, I'll be back up and running. All my crafting is knitting right now, but I yearn to learn free-motion quilting because I'm tired of only doing in-the-ditch quilting.

I am finishing up a twin size quilt made from scrappy granny squares in blues and browns. Just one more border, then I can take it with me to Monday's quilt group meeting and use the big tables at the hall to make a sandwich. This book looks fabulous, and with each stop on the blog tour, I'm more and more convinced that I need a copy. ~karen

I'm currently in the middle of a Mystery Block of the Month quilt using "Vintage Modern" by Bonnie & Camille, a Halloween tablerunner, and just bought the fabric to start working on a baby quilt for my niece. Love it!

I am working on several quilts. I have a square flannel quilt on the longarm. I 16 patch as a leader 'n ender project. I am doing a mystery quilt also. I'm cutting a spool quilt. I just have to have different projects to help with my physical limitations. They all do get done.

I love the apliqued quilt with the white background. Great job!I have never tried free motion quilting but keep telling myself I will some day soon. I am thinking of working on a salmon pink with ivory contrast kid or baby quilt.Great contest Vicki!

Project, more like projects. I have two block of the months going. One is the 2012 Designer Mystery from The Fat Quarter Shop and the other also from The Fat Quarter Shop is Vintage Kansas City Star.I also have two Christmas quilts waiting to be quilted either sent out or if I get the courage to quilt myself.

Vicki - how fortunate that you worked on the quilt in this book -- it is just stunning ! My grand daughter Angelina would LOVE that quilt! She is just getting into her own room this winter and Gramma is going to make her a new bed cover. That is perfect!

I am also working on a wool table topper by Kim Diehl -- and another Fall Pumpkin table topper -- not to mention a few (4?) lap quilts and wall hangings that need to be quilted on my DSM before Christmas.

Well I am SUPPOSED to be sandwiching and quilting my son's junior year quilt (long overdue) and/or taking in a cute skirt that I made for my daughter. But I'd rather be sewing my Christmas quilt or making a pencil skirt for my daughter. :S

I am currently finishing 2 quilts. One is a sweet little baby quilt using my last scraps of Fig Tree's Whimsy. I am using the Chain Reaction pattern by Cluck.Cluck.Sew. to make a toddler quilt using Urban Circus, Alphabet Soup, Wheels, and some Chots dots from Hoopla. I just adore Natalia's work and would love to win her book. Thanks for the opportunity!

I'm currently working on the Farmer's Wife quilt (queen size). My LQS has a class that meets every month to work on 10 blocks. We are nearing the end so Natalia's book sure would come in handy to finish up the quilt :)

I'm working on a square in square type baby quilt at the moment but am eager to start a plus quilt for my son ... and then a granny square quilt for my daughter ... and then an hst quilt for another baby as yet unborn ... and then ...

I'm working on a quilt for my niece. I'm down to the free-motion quilting part and I have started. I have a heart loopy design that I'm doing, but since my experience level is beginner, it's slow going and not so pretty. Some of the hearts looks like 2 mooshed triangles shoved together. I can't wait to get my hands on this book!

I have a couple of blog hops coming up that I need to finish things for, one is paper piecing which for now is my love/hate relationship. I'm going to get it if I have to work for months LOL. I cut the blocks for a halloween quilt today and plan to cut more tomorrow and then sew, sew, sew UNLESS the weather is as horrible as they say it is going to be here in Central Missouri. Thanks.

i'm still working on my stack of practice sandwiched squares [sigh] and not making much progress on my fmq. i'm handstitching epp and pressing yardage and fqs for cutting a new project and stitch another together.

I am working on a quilt for my grandson and several dresden plate table toppers with matching place mats. What I am wanting to make is a Lonestar quilt but, it will have to wait until after all the holidays :)

I thought I had entered a comment but do not see it. I would really like a copy of this book so if this ends up being a duplicate please remove and accept my apologies. I am working on a quilt for Christopher.

I'm currently working on a quilt for a friend going through cancer treatment. I always seem to end up doing stitch in the ditch or straight-line quilting because I'm too much of a chicken to do anything else. Thanks so much for the chance to win this book :)

I am a beginning FMQer and I am in the process of quilting a charity Baby Quilt! Every quilt is a learning experience!! Winning this book would definitely help me in this process!! Thanks for the chance!Paulette

Hi what a wonderful review for this book. I have only quilted a little on my home sewing machine but it would be lovely to learn how to actually do a great job when doing one...I am currently working on a table runner that turned into a wallhanging and I am going to try and quilt it myself with some of these wonderful tips I have been reading about..thanks for the chance

I have just started working on an outreach quilt for my guild. I saw a program that Eleanor Burns did on French Braid quilts and was anxious to give it a try, so what better way to test a new pattern to get the kinks worked out, than an outreach quilt? Plus, when I do quilt it, I will be able to "practice" my quilting and no one will care if I mess up here and there or not!!

I'm working on three quilts right now - one for my dad (just needs to be quilted), one for my brother (cut out), and one for my couch (I'm finally getting the hang of applique). I'd love this book... and maybe a few extra hours in the day!

I am working on four small car lap flannel quilts for my best girl friends. It gets cold in New England!I am on the brink of trying free motion quilting... for now it is stitch in the ditch for me! Ally

Hi Vicki, you're review of Natalia's book was great. Thank you!! I'm sitting here lookinng at swirly quilting Natalia has done in her negative space and I'm drooling. I have at least 6 different bed size quilts patiently awaiting for me to quilt them but I was and still am very intimidated about trying some of these swirly quilting. I truly believe that Natalia's book will get be out of my comfort zone and into another world of quilting that I've always loved but couldn't do...or shall I say wouldn't do because I was afraid of messing up the quilt! Thank you for a great give away! PS loved reading about your children making their way into your quilting world!!

I'm working on a Storm at Sea quilt for my parents right now and I have absolutely NO IDEA how I am going to quilt it when I'm finished. I definitely need some inspiration. I don't want to do my traditional allover stippling on this one...

I am making a quilt for my #2 daughter. Black and Whit 5x5 squares with Red 10x10 all in a 9 patch. I've redesigned the whole thing several times because I all ready had a charm pack and some FQ and wanted to limit how much extra I had to buy. I think it's going to be adorable. Hope she likes it too. I've tried to machine quilt before but it was a major disaster. Please help!!

You want to know what I am making or want to make. I want to make just about everything I see which is more than one person can do. I am working on a Redwork piece of Sunbonnet Sue, one for each month, for a friend. It has been great fun. Thank you for this great giveaway.

I've been inspired by my email from Quilting Daily to make my own fabric for a new tennis bag from using inks on canvas. In the quilting arena, I've been very inspired by a blog that's new to me called Cut to Pieces, I love her take on a block with lots of curves so that's where I'm going next.

I was recently at the Winchester Mystery House and there is a quilt on one of the beds that is quite similar to the one you have pictured here! I have been dying to make one like it since I saw it! I am currently working on finishing up a chevron quilt for Christmas out of Kate Spain's 12 days of Christmas and white Kona.

First of all, I did enjoy looking over your blog! Also, that for the chance to win a great looking book. My current project is trying to get a baby quilt finished by the end of the month. I have done a little FMQ but would love to do more and improve my FMQ skills.

I am getting ready to do a braid in a day quilt as my first QAL. :) The only sewing lately I've been doing is table runners for a fundraiser I am doing in memory of my son. But...I will be busy soon enough making, Lord-willing, a quilt for my MIL and mother, and perhaps one for my son too. That's pretty ambitious for a novice like me! LOL Thank you!

I'm working on a quilt for my son that uses a pinwheel pattern, Lucy Boston's Patchwork of the Crosses that is a honeycomb shape instead of hexagons, a purse and my holiday block for my guild Christmas party. Whew! Would love to win a copy of this book to help with creative ideas to finish my quilts!

I am just finishing up a bargello quilt using the Spiral Burst bargello pattern. I made it all with oriental fabrics. I have never seen a bargello done with oriental fabrics. i want to add an oriental quilting motif, like sashiko.

Right now I am working on two projects. Finishing a baby quilt inspired by Pileofabric's Alyssa and a lap quilt for my daughter using fussy cut owl (for the center) log cabin blocks.lisamcgriff (at) hotmail (dot) com

One of the projects I'm working on is a quilt for my mother-in-law who will soon be turning 75. She is originally from the Netherlands so I've made the quilt in various shades of blue and white to give it a "Delft Blue" look. Delft blue is pottery that the Netherlands are famous for.

I am thinking about making an Irish Chain quilt with all the leftovers from a quilt that I just finished. I just can't believe how many pieces of fabric there are leftover, so I think I hear an Irish Chain calling my name.

I just finished a darling baby quilt made with Penny Lane fabric. I FMQ the medalians and it was so much FUN! I have a queen sized quilt top and bottom that needs to be FMQ, but I am scared to death!jpshirley@ymail.com

Sounds like this book could really be a great help to me. I have several projects going, a civil war quilt, a quilt that has embroidered snowmen, an applique project, another embroidery project, an english paper pieced small quilt for my grandson, a hand pieced small quilt and a block of the month quilt. I have to cut down next year, hehe.

I am currently working on two projects. One is my geese in the park quilt made from a quilt kit from a moda bakeshop pattern and the other is a quilt I have been working on for over 10 years. I may actually finish that UFO this month. Come check it out at http://jennifer.blogspot.com

Let's see....I have many quilts I want to make but the one I really need to get cracking on soon is for my 4th baby. She doesn't have a quilt of her own and each of her siblings have a couple each already!

I've been machine quilting for awhile, but just getting into free motion quilting. Most recently I finished a wedding wishes quilt made up of blocks with handwritten wishes to the bride and groom from people who were in attendance of a shower I hosted.

We just re-painted my daughter's room in a "big girl" palette -- Light French Gray, Wood Violet (a deep purple), and Hot (hot pink) -- a very nice and overdue change from her little girl pink and yellow. Anyway, the wall color has inspired me to make her a quilt for her twin bed in shades of gray with large appliqué in the brighter colors. SO looking forward to finding my fabrics and now machine quilting. -- Lena S.